Australia Begin T20 WC with Dominant Win Over Ireland

Australia Kick Off T20 World Cup with Convincing Win Over Ireland

Australia launched their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in commanding fashion, defeating Ireland by 67 runs in Colombo on Wednesday, February 11. The victory set a strong tone for the defending champions as they began their title defense.

Electing to bat first, Australia put up a competitive total of 182 for six in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Marcus Stoinis, who scored a well-paced 45, while Matthew Renshaw and Josh Inglis contributed 37 runs each. Their combined efforts ensured Australia posted a challenging target for Ireland on a pitch that offered some assistance to both batters and bowlers.

When Ireland came out to chase, they struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Pacer Nathan Ellis spearheaded the Australian bowling attack, claiming 4 wickets for just 12 runs, while spinner Adam Zampa matched him with 4 for 23. Together, they dismantled the Irish batting lineup, restricting them to 115 for 9 in 16.5 overs, well short of the target.

Top scorer for Ireland was George Dockrell, who fought valiantly to score 41 runs, but he lacked substantial support from the rest of the lineup. Mark Adair was the only Irish bowler to make a dent in the Australian innings, taking 2 wickets for 44 runs.

The all-round performance highlighted Australia’s balance, with the batting depth and bowling firepower working seamlessly. This emphatic win not only boosts the team’s confidence but also sends a message to other contenders in the tournament.

Australia will now look to maintain momentum in their next group-stage matches, while Ireland will aim to regroup and bounce back after a disappointing start.

Brief Scores:

• Australia: 182/6 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 45, Matt Renshaw 37, Josh Inglis 37; Mark Adair 2/44)
• Ireland: 115/9 in 16.5 overs (George Dockrell 41; Nathan Ellis 4/12, Adam Zampa 4/23)